Festive eyeshadows for the holidays
The holiday season is the perfect excuse to dial up the drama to let your eyes do the talking—whether you’re clinking glasses at a dinner party or dancing past midnight. This eyeshadow lineup is all about high-shine pigments, molten metallics, and shades that look just as good in candlelight as they do under disco lights.
For days when your calendar is filled with office parties or cozy dinners that somehow turn into karaoke nights, this is your moment to play with color, texture, and most importantly—shine. Here are the most stunning formulas to help you play, layer, and glow your way through every festive occasion.
Tom Ford Eye Color Quad
Designed to create iconic, soft-to-bold Tom Ford eyes, the palette delivers versatility in every pan. The textures are soft and creamy, and each shade blends effortlessly, creating that diffused, elegant finish the brand is known for.
The shadows hold up impressively well, even with minimal prep and no primer. Despite their luxurious feel, the shades lend themselves beautifully to daytime looks, thanks to their sheer, luminous finish. The holographic glitter, in particular, catches the light in the most flattering way. It’s soft, radiant, and never overpowering.
Because the shades are so blendable, it’s also great for building a soft smoky eye. You can layer color gradually without worrying about harsh edges or overly intense pigment. The result is a smooth, seamless dimension that looks refined and effortless—very Tom Ford.
Nars Afterglow Tempting Eyeshadow Palette
This palette from Nars has that perfect mix of warmth and drama. With glowing rose golds, ambers, and plums, it’s made for looks that shift effortlessly from day to night. It’s a mix of matte, shimmer, and metallic sparkle, and the formula can be applied with a wet or dry brush for either a sheer wash or rich, intense color payoff.
This is perfect if you love a rosy eye with duochromes in different tones—the kind that looks multidimensional under changing light. The colors blend beautifully and hold their intensity, whether you’re keeping it soft or going full smoky.
Hourglass Scattered Light Eyeshadow
Hourglass’ Scattered Light Eyeshadow is for those who like their sparkle soft and refined. The texture feels light as air, with a diffused, pearl-like finish that makes the eyes look instantly awake. They give you that metallic, glittery wet look that’s perfect as a topper or when you’re going for full-on shimmer. It’s the ultimate “one-and-done” eyeshadow that you can swipe on and go.
They do have a tendency to crease on oily eyelids though, but that’s easily managed with a good primer or by prepping the lids beforehand. Once set properly, the shimmer stays put, catching light beautifully without looking overdone. It’s easy, elegant, and festive without trying too hard.
Patrick Ta Major Dimensions Eyeshadow Duo in Still at the Club
Patrick Ta knows the art of the sultry shimmer. Still at the Club feels like the grown-up version of glitter; think champagne light catching on eyelids, and not craft sparkle.
This is my favorite duo out of the collection: You get a cool tone and a warm tone that doesn’t turn muddy when blended. You can go for “barely-there chic” and just wash the color over your lids, or build it up to “I might start a dance floor.”
Pat McGrath Labs in Venus In Fleurs Luxe Quad
If you’ve never tried Pat McGrath before, her eyeshadows are the best place to start. They’re what the brand does best—smooth, buttery, and incredibly pigmented. Yes, the price is on the higher side, but the payoff is rich and luminous, and the shades blend like a dream.
What I love most is how sparkly shades don’t scatter glitter all over the face; the shimmer stays exactly where you put it. The colors on this quad can easily transition beyond the holidays, too—perfect for those days when you just want to feel a little extra.
Stila Glisten & Glow Liquid Eyeshadow in Kitten Kaleidoscope
A long-time favorite for good reason, Stila’s Glisten & Glow in Kitten Kaleidoscope delivers instant shine in a single layer of product. The liquid formula dries down to a weightless, reflective finish that doesn’t budge, making it ideal for long evenings. Tap it onto the center of your lids to add dimension, or layer it over powder shadows for that extra touch of sparkle that always photographs beautifully.
The formula’s fine glitter particles give a mirrored effect that catches light with every blink. It applies best with the built-in applicator, then blended out quickly with your finger before it sets.
Issy Pressed Shadow Single in Shimmer
Proof that great eyeshadow doesn’t have to come with a luxury price tag, Issy’s Pressed Shadow Single in Shimmer delivers impressive payoff at a fraction of the cost. The formula feels smooth and blendable, with just the right amount of luminosity to catch light beautifully on the lids.
It comes in plenty of shades, allowing you to mix, match, and build a palette that’s entirely your own. Because they’re sold as singles, you can curate your own color story and customize it to suit your mood or look.
